As author of S.1000, a bill to enhance the Federal Telework Program, Stevens is a longtime advocate of telework. The Senator sees the importance of a robust telework program on three different levels. First, he believes that telework provides tremendous benefits for the Federal government. An effective telework program improves the cost-efficiency of government, while enhancing the government’s much-needed Continuity of Operations plans. The opportunity to telework also serves as a recruitment tool for agencies, which could further strengthen our Federal workforce.

Secondly, the Senator states that telework has advantages for Federal employees. By working from home for part of the week, employees would save hundreds of dollars each year in transportation costs. It also cuts down on workers’ commute time, allowing them to spend more time at home with family. The average Federal employee spends about 250 hours a year commuting, which is a staggering statistic.

Lastly, telework is critical for our nation as a whole. Stevens says that our country faces a very serious energy crisis. Our dependence on foreign oil is alarming. If we want to change course and establish our energy independence, the U.S. must take a comprehensive approach. This should include domestic energy production, the development of alternative energy sources, and energy conservation. Telework could be a component to energy conservation efforts by simply limiting the gasoline consumed by federal employees. In addition, telework addresses the sustainability of our environment, particularly with respect to global climate change. The net result of an enhanced Federal employee telework program would be reduced traffic congestion, and perhaps most importantly, a reduction in greenhouse gases from automobiles. At a Senate hearing earlier this year the Committee was told that if all eligible Federal employees teleworked two days per week, U.S. emissions would be reduced by 2.7 million tons each year. That is a goal that the Senator personally urges Congress to support.

Senator Stevens feels it is important to encourage managers to allow their employees to participate in telework as much as possible. He believes this is the key to making any telework program successful. Unfortunately, it has been difficult for managers to get past the traditional mentality that their employees must be physically located in their office and at their desk in order to be productive. It is the Senator’s belief that his telework bill, S.1000, is the tool that managers and employees need to improve participation in agency programs. The legislation also will make it much easier to monitor telework participation among the various agencies. Improved monitoring will allow agencies to compare their participation statistics and learn where they still need improvement.

Senator Stevens notes that the technology available today makes teleworking a convenient option. As managers become more comfortable with the idea of telework, he sees it becoming more common across a range of government agencies. Most importantly, a change of thinking - and a change of culture - must occur within government operations. The Senator met with Alaskans who work in Washington, D.C., who would love to move back to Alaska and telework. That will be possible within the next few years if we can encourage maximum participation in enhanced telecommuting programs. Stevens said that as he and his staff meet with groups supporting telework, what’s been made clear is that if these programs are structured correctly, people can do many of their jobs from nearly any location.

Senator Stevens says that working with Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and having a bill introduced has been a good starting point. He states that their bill has sparked important conversation about the merits of a strong telework program. He looks forward to working with members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to improve the bill and send it to the full Senate for passage.

Lastly, the Senator makes note that the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and the General Services Administration should be commended for the progress they have made to promote telework programs across the Federal government. Senator Stevens hopes Congress can work with these agencies to build on those successes, with the understanding that not all government positions are suitable for telework arrangements. There are a number of factors that must be considered in each telework program, including security of government information, but if an employee can be as productive from home as in an office, they should have that option. If implemented thoughtfully, telework is in the best interest of employees and the government as an employer.

For more information or to contact Senator Stevens, please visit http://stevens.senate.gov/public/.